How to restore your suspended Alabama license
To get your suspended Alabama driver's license back, you must first find out why it was suspended — the reason determines what you have to do and how much it costs. The Alabama Department of Public Safety (DPS) suspends licenses for different violations: unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, DUI convictions, accumulating too many points, or failure to pay child support or court-ordered restitution. Each reason has its own path to restoration.
Start by contacting the Alabama DPS Driver License Division at 334-242-4437 or visiting their office in Montgomery to learn the specific reason for your suspension. You can also check online through the Alabama DPS website, though calling is faster if you need to act soon. Once you know the reason, you'll know what paperwork or payments are required before you can request reinstatement.
Key Takeaways
- Your suspension reason determines what you must do to restore your license — unpaid fines, court failures, DUI convictions, and point accumulation each have different requirements.
- Contact the Alabama DPS Driver License Division by phone at 334-242-4437 or visit their Montgomery office to find out why your license was suspended.
- Most suspensions require you to pay outstanding fines, court costs, or reinstatement fees before the DPS will restore your driving privileges.
- If your suspension is related to a DUI, you may need to complete a substance abuse program and install an ignition interlock device before reinstatement is possible.
- After meeting all requirements, you'll submit a reinstatement request to the DPS, which typically processes within one to two weeks.
Suspensions for unpaid traffic fines or court costs
If your license was suspended because you didn't pay a traffic ticket or court-ordered fine, you need to pay the full amount owed plus any reinstatement fee. The reinstatement fee in Alabama is typically $20 to $50, depending on the reason for suspension, but the traffic fine itself is separate and usually larger. Contact the court that issued the ticket — the citation should list which court — and ask for the exact amount due and whether you can pay by phone, mail, or in person.
Once you've paid, ask the court for written confirmation of payment. Take that confirmation to the Alabama DPS Driver License Division office or mail it with a reinstatement request form. The DPS will verify payment with the court before restoring your license. This process usually takes one to two weeks after the DPS receives your request.
Suspensions for failure to appear in court
If you missed a court date, your license was suspended as a penalty and to encourage you to resolve the case. You must go back to the court that issued the summons, explain your absence, and ask to reschedule. Bring documentation of why you missed the date if you have it — a medical emergency, a work conflict, or a transportation problem — though the court may or may not accept it. The judge may impose an additional fine for missing the hearing.
After you appear and the case is resolved (whether you plead guilty, not guilty, or reach a settlement), the court will notify the DPS that you've complied. The DPS will then restore your license, usually within one to two weeks. If you're unsure which court has your case, call the county clerk's office where you received the ticket.
Suspensions related to DUI convictions
A DUI suspension in Alabama is more complex than other suspensions because it involves both a criminal conviction and a separate administrative license suspension. The length of suspension depends on whether it's your first offense and whether you refused a breathalyzer test. A first DUI typically results in a 90-day suspension; a refusal can mean a one-year suspension. A second DUI within five years brings a one-year suspension, and a third within ten years brings a three-year suspension.
Before the DPS will restore your license, you must complete a substance abuse program approved by the Alabama Department of Mental Health. You'll also need to install an ignition interlock device (IID) on any vehicle you drive — this device requires you to pass a breath test before the car will start. The IID stays on your vehicle for a set period: typically three to six months for a first offense, one year for a second, and three years for a third. You pay for the IID installation and monthly monitoring yourself, usually $60 to $100 per month. After your suspension period ends and you've completed the program and IID requirement, submit proof to the DPS along with a reinstatement request.
Suspensions for accumulating too many points
Alabama uses a point system for traffic violations. If you accumulate 12 or more points within a two-year period, your license is suspended for 60 days. Points are assigned based on the violation: a speeding ticket might be 2 to 4 points, reckless driving 6 points, and a DUI 10 points. You can check your current point total by calling the DPS at 334-242-4437.
If your suspension is point-based, you cannot do anything to shorten it — you must wait out the 60-day suspension period. After 60 days, you can request reinstatement by contacting the DPS. There is usually a reinstatement fee of around $20 to $50. Once the suspension period has passed and you've paid the fee, your license will be restored.
Suspensions for unpaid child support or court restitution
Alabama suspends driver's licenses for unpaid child support or unpaid restitution ordered by a court (money owed to a crime victim). To restore your license, you must contact the agency handling your case — either the Alabama Department of Human Resources for child support or the court that ordered restitution. Work out a payment plan or pay the full amount owed if you can.
Once you've made arrangements or paid in full, that agency will notify the DPS. The DPS will then restore your license, usually within one to two weeks. If you're having trouble paying, ask about payment plans or hardship waivers — some courts will work with you if you're making a good-faith effort to pay.
The reinstatement request process
After you've met all the requirements for your specific suspension reason, you'll submit a reinstatement request to the Alabama DPS. You can do this in person at the DPS Driver License Division office in Montgomery, by mail, or sometimes by phone depending on your suspension type. You'll need to provide your driver's license number, the reason your license was suspended, and proof that you've met all requirements — paid fines, completed programs, or written confirmation from a court or agency.
The DPS typically processes reinstatement requests within one to two weeks. If you need your license sooner, visiting the office in person may speed things up. Once approved, your license will be restored and you can drive legally again. If your license was physically suspended (taken away), you may need to pay a replacement fee and take a new photo at the DPS office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my license is suspended?
No. Driving with a suspended license in Alabama is illegal and can result in additional fines, jail time, and a longer suspension. If you're stopped by police, you face criminal charges separate from the original suspension. If you need to drive for work or medical reasons, ask the court about a hardship license, though these are granted rarely and only in specific circumstances.
How long does reinstatement usually take?
Once you've submitted your reinstatement request and met all requirements, the DPS typically restores your license within one to two weeks. If you explore in person at the Montgomery office, you may receive confirmation the same day, though the official reinstatement still takes a few days to process in their system.
What if I can't pay the fine right now?
Contact the court that issued the fine and ask about a payment plan. Many courts will allow you to pay in installments over several months. Some may also reduce the fine if you show financial hardship. Once you've arranged a plan, ask the court for written confirmation and send it to the DPS — some suspensions can be lifted while you're paying as long as you're in compliance with the plan.
Do I need to take a new driving test to get my license back?
For most suspensions, no — you straightforward request reinstatement and the DPS restores your license. However, if your license expired while it was suspended, you'll need to renew it, which may include a written test and vision test but not a road test unless you're a new driver.
What if my suspension was a mistake?
Call the Alabama DPS Driver License Division at 334-242-4437 and explain the situation. If there's an error in their records, they can investigate and correct it. If the suspension was issued by a court, you may need to contact that court to have the suspension lifted. Bring any documentation that proves the error, such as proof of payment or court records.